1. Vestry Motion & Advocacy Workshop: Affordable Housing and Homelessness
Elin Goulden
Social Justice & Advocacy Consultant
Diocese of Toronto
January 2018

2. Why Advocacy?
As Christians, we are called to love our neighbours as ourselves, and show compassion to those in need. (Matt. 25; 1 John 3:17-18)
We are also called to speak up for those who are especially vulnerable in our society – to seek and promote their wellbeing. (see next slide)
Scripture understands the role of leaders to establish and uphold justice (Psalm 72, Romans 13) even if they do not understand themselves as answerable to God.
Examples of advocates include Moses and Esther.

3. The Biblical call: Proverbs 31:8-9
Speak out for those who cannot speak,
for the rights of all the destitute.
Speak out, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Isaiah 1:16a-17
…cease to do evil
learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.

4. Our Baptismal Covenant and the Church’s Mission
Holy Baptism (BAS p. 159)
Q. Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbour as yourself?
A. I will, with God’s help.
Q. Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
Marks of Mission of the
Anglican Communion
3. To respond to human need by loving service.
4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.

5. Affordable Housing and Homelessness – why is it a growing concern?
Decrease in public funding for affordable housing since late 1980’s
Decreased income security – stagnating social assistance and wages (until recently); rise of precarious employment
Rising rents/housing costs and lower vacancy rates
More than 170,000 households are waiting for affordable housing in Ontario – larger population than the cities of Oshawa or Kingston
In our Diocese: nearly half of renters pay over 30% of their income on housing; 1 in 5 pay over 50% of their income on housing

6. Housing: a key social determinant of health
Being homeless or living in unsafe housing contributes to:
- Poor physical health due to exposure, inadequate heating and/or ventilation, dangers of lead and mold, vermin, increased contagion from overcrowding (in homes or shelters)
Risk of physical/sexual assault, especially for homeless individuals
Increased stress, mental illness, and addictions; social exclusion
Poor academic outcomes for children and youth
Increased likelihood of incarceration

7. Economic costs
Homelessness and inadequate housing cost Canadian taxpayers over $7 billion annually
Emergency health care
Criminal justice system
Pressure on social services
This is not to mention the costs associated with lost and reduced opportunities for the homeless and inadequately housed to contribute to the economy and society in general.

8. How is our Church helping?
Faithworks and other ministries providing shelter, transitional housing, connections to housing opportunities, and supports for people to stay in their housing
Parish Out of the Cold and drop-in ministries
Meeting other basic needs (food, shelter, community support)
Other….

9. What more is needed?
Re-establish public investment in affordable housing
Cooperation between federal, provincial, and municipal governments
Ongoing health, social, and income supports to help vulnerable populations retain their housing.
Concrete goals and timelines for ending homelessness.

10. How does the Vestry Motion contribute to advocacy?
Get Anglicans and others talking about housing and homelessness
Support advocacy by the Diocesan Bishops
Input into Provincial Budget process
Meetings and Correspondence with political leaders
Equip Anglican laypeople and clergy for advocacy
Inform our choices in upcoming elections

11. How to advocate in your parish
Information sessions
Bulletin inserts
Speaking to fellow-parishioners
Discuss

12. How to advocate with your elected officials
Learn who they are and how to contact them
Prepare your message – be brief and be clear in what you ask
Be polite. Make them want to help you
Follow up - be persistent
(See handout)

13. Stay in touch! Contact me (see card)
Website:
Monthly update (see sign-up sheet)
Facebook page: